Thursday 5th November

Similar conditions to yesterday with a frosty dawn and a chilling northerly winding around a huge high pressure (1041 mb) stationed over the North Atlantic. The first pigeon flock rose above the estuarine fog and flew WSW at 07:05 and passage continued all morning with some large flocks passing SSW down the west side of the estuary to total 9,340 Woodpigeon that contained only seven Stock Dove and four Feral/ Racing Pigeon. Passage was moderately heavy and steady for hours, involving 309 Chaffinch (NE), 207 Jackdaw (W), c.190 Goldfinch (NE), 100 Linnet (NE), 65 Siskin (NE), 63 Lesser Black-backed Gull (S), 53 Starling (NE), 43 Meadow Pipit (NE), c.40 Greenfinch (NE), 37 Skylark (NW), 13 Song Thrush (NW to NE), seven Lesser Redpoll, six Reed Bunting, six Pied Wagtail (WNW) plus a White Wagtail that landed briefly; five Redwing (NW to NE), three Buzzard, three Coal Tit (flew NE then double-backed); three Brambling (NE), two Golden Plover in off (NW), two Mistle Thrush, two Grey Wagtail (NE), two Bullfinch (NE) plus another two in woodland; only one Rook, an adult-winter Mediterranean Gull in off (NW), and a Great Northern Diver that flew south out of the estuary.

The counts today of Lesser Black-backed Gull, Buzzard, Jackdaw, Song Thrush, Redwing, Mistle Thrush, Brambling, Chaffinch and Reed Bunting were all the highest or equal highest counts here of the year so far.

On the Main Pond, the pair of Shoveler, at least one Little Grebe, a Common Snipe, the female Mallard, a few Moorhen and Water Rail was heard, as usual.

A group of 21 Long-tailed Tit adventurously explored brambles beyond Dune Pond and associated with them one or two of the seven Chiffchaff, six Goldcrest and even the Firecrest reached this far up the site.

Offshore, a raft of eight Common Scoter, four Great Crested Grebe, the usual drake Eider, a Red-throated Diver and just a single Gannet. The tide was missed again to concentrate on 'vis-mig' and from a distance the usual range of species were noted present, except for a single Lapwing. This contributed to another impressive day total of 84 species, one species shy of the November record here. 

Wildlife news: one or two Migrant Hawker and Common Darter were seen on the wing when the air temperature had climbed to about 10°C, having survived the past two nights when temperatures dipped to nearer 3°C. 

Other news: Environment Agency staff worked on temporary repairs to the Geotube ('sand-sausage') today that had clearly been vandalised with long lateral cuts to a number of sections.  It is bewildering why anyone would do this.  Not intended to be exposed, its purpose is as a last line of defence against a sea breach to protect from damage important habitats and species; the Warren golf course, homes and infrastructure.  If you have any information about this crime, you can contact Devon & Cornwall Police via 101 or online, and anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

vandalism of geotube sea defences - photo by Ivan Lakin